Late Poom header restores Flora’s lead in Premium Liiga title race

For the third game running, FC Flora found themselves on the brink of throwing away a lead and losing precious ground in the title race. This time, however, the side dug deep, surviving with ten men and showing resilience to overcome Harju JK Laagri with a 2:1 win.

The opening stages were played at a high tempo, with Flora quickly stamping their authority. Harju keeper Ivans Baturins was called into action to deny both Markus Poom and Sander Alamaa, but his resistance was broken on the half-hour. Rauno Sappinen won a penalty, and Erko Tõugjas made no mistake from the spot to give Flora the lead. Alamaa came close to doubling the advantage before halftime, only to miss narrowly from a sharp angle.

The second half initially followed the same script until disaster struck for Flora. Sander Tovstik, in the space of less than a minute, collected two yellow cards, conceded a penalty, and left his side down to ten men. Kristjan Kriis coolly converted to level the match at 1-1, swinging momentum toward the home side.

Harju nearly made their advantage count through Ramo Sillamaa, but Flora’s defense scrambled clear. Instead of retreating, the Tallinn club responded with courage, regaining control despite being a man short. Their reward came in the 67th minute when Markus Poom rose above the defense to head home Kristo Hussar’s pinpoint cross from close range – restoring Flora’s lead at 1-2.

The hosts pushed late, striking the crossbar through Ander-Joosep Kose in the 84th minute, but their hopes faded moments later when Mahamud Karimu was sent off for hauling down Sergei Zenjov as the last defender. With both teams reduced to ten men, Flora had little difficulty seeing the game out, securing a vital win that keeps their championship push firmly on track.

Flora after this win move three points clear of their rivals FCI Levadia who tomorrow will host Tartu JK Tammeka. After the international break Flora will host JK Tallinna Kalev, while Harju will look to end their three game losing streak host Nomme Kalju FC.

Harju JK Laagri vs FC Flora Tallinn – 1:2 (0:1)
Goals: Kriis 54′ (Penalty kick) | Tougjas 32′ (Penalty kick), Poom 68′

In the other Premium Liiga fixture of the day, JK Narva Trans overturned an early deficit to claim a 3-1 victory over JK Tallinna Kalev, piling further misery on a side still searching for their first league win since mid-July.

It was Kalev who struck first, with Michael Udebuluzor opening the scoring and briefly raising hopes of a much-needed turnaround in their survival battle. But Narva shook off their sluggish start and found an equalizer just before the break, as German Slein netted his first goal of the campaign.

The momentum shifted firmly in the second half. Narva pressed forward with confidence, and strikes from Mark Maksimkin and Ahmad Gero sealed the comeback win, lifting the club into fifth place at the expense of Pärnu JK Vaprus.

For Kalev, the outlook grows bleaker. With eight straight defeats and only five matches left, they remain locked in the relegation zone and need at least ten points to overhaul Tartu JK Tammeka – a daunting task given their form.

After the international break, Kalev face a daunting trip to league leaders FC Flora, while Narva look to build momentum at home against Vaprus.

JK Tallinna Kalev vs JK Narva Trans – 1:3 (1:1)
Goals: Udebuluzor 12′ | Slein 43′, Maksimkin 69′, Gero 90′

Premium Liiga Matchday 31:

• 04.10.2025 – FC Kuressaare vs Paide Linnameeskond – 1:1
• 04.10.2025 – JK Tallinna Kalev vs JK Narva Trans – 1:3
• 04.10.2025 – Harju JK Laagri vs FC Flora Tallinn – 1:2
• 05.10.2025 – FCI Levadia vs Tartu JK Tammeka – 14:30
• 05.10.2025 – Nomme Kalju FC vs Parnu JK Vaprus – 16:30